Hospitality Interior Design Trends Bridge Millennials and Baby Boomers

Published by: Northland - December 28, 2016

Hospitality design trends for 2017 indicate we will see both millennials and baby boomers with contrasting wants and needs, and accordingly, the industry will see challenges resulting from meeting those needs. In order to be successful, hotels will need to find the right mix of features to appeal to each audience.

 

“The easiest way to sum it up is that millennials seek to create a sharing experience—it’s a version of the “Uber effect”—while baby boomers look for a fundamental experience when choosing a hotel,” offered Jordan McInturf, vice president of sales with Shelby Williams.

Baby Boomer Seek Fundamental Comforts

When looking at baby boomer preference, most indicators point to familiar design elements. Here are some of the most commonly mentioned design trends for 2017:

 

  • Rustic – Traditional furniture is a favorite among travelers. Inspired by nature and the countryside, rustic design helps to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s reminiscent of home.
  • Metallics – Metallic tones are finding their way into many of the small details.
  • Monochrome – This classic finish will never go out of style.
  • Neutral tones – Inspiration from the outdoors paves the way for neutral, earthy tones
  • Natural textures – Expect to see different techniques with texture, including wire and brushing, which helps to make wood grain pop.

 

Millennials Crave Unique Sharing Opportunities

On the other side, addressing the wants and needs of millenials requires some new approaches. Millennials want each experience they have in hotels to be unique. As a result, the challenges revolve around how to provide more unique, authentic experiences.

 

No generation before has ever been interwoven like technology and millennials . This means that when staying at a hotel, millenials will expect much more than free Wi-Fi. They are seeking new ways to create and share their experiences, and simultaneously want to do so in environmentally conscious spaces. As a result, we’re seeing hotel lobby and room designs morphing into more open and flexible spaces and technology incorporated into functional furniture. Scaled down design with an emphasis on authentic and sharable experiences will be the standard.

 

As consumer tastes evolve, Northland Furniture will also be there to help. As we often say, we leave nothing on the shelf. We don’t carry stock furniture that sits, waiting to be purchased. We craft unique commercial furniture that’s made according to the specifications of our customers.

 

As an industry leader for over 40 years, you can trust that as wants and needs change, Northland Furniture will be there at the forefront.

 

Resources:

 

http://ehotelier.com/insights/2015/01/14/5-hotel-design-trends-to-watch-out-for-this-year/

https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2016/4/25/top-6-design-trends-will-be-hot-2017

https://www.genesisproductsinc.com/new-trends-in-the-hospitality-industry-the-modern-hotel-makeover/

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How Does LEED Relate to Furniture?

Published by: Northland - December 21, 2016

There’s been a lot of discussion on LEED and LEED-certified buildings recently. But what exactly does that mean and how does it relate to furniture? This is reasonable question and certainly one worth exploring.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is a globally accepted third-party certification program for sustainable building design and construction. While the US Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the program almost 20 years ago, LEED is now the world’s most widely used third-party verification program for green buildings.

The USGBC developed LEED to consider all aspects of buildings at any point in their development. Buildings seeking LEED certification earn points by addressing sustainability issues in several areas. Based on these points, projects can earn one of four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

LEED-certified buildings use resources more efficiently, saving water, energy, and ultimately, money. This is why in less than twenty years’ time LEED has grown to become the global standard for sustainable building.

LEED v4

Recently, USGBC marked the release of LEED v4. LEED v4 aims to improve the overall community experience through its “bolder” and more flexible design.

LEED v4 achieves its mission through design. While thorough and far more comprehensive than we can report, here are four areas where LEED v4 improved upon LEED:

  • Increased focus on materials, what they contain and how they affect the environment
  • Offers a clearer picture on water efficiency, while estimating building use
  • Takes a more performance-based approach to indoor environmental quality to ensure improved occupant comfort
  • Emphasizes smart grid thinking by offering credits to projects participating in demand response programs.

Northland Furniture doesn’t only provide long-lasting, functional and practical pieces; we also recognize that as a member of the global community we have a responsibility of sensibility. With this in mind, here are a couple examples of how Northland uses LEED-friendly practices.

Low-VOC

From our low-VOC, LEED-applicable water-based stains and finishes, to the local woods we source to limit our footprint and our use of blanket wrapping to limit packaging, sustainability is key at Northland.

Sustainable Woods

Northland uses both solid and engineered woods sourced from the Pacific Northwest, utilizing as much from the tree as possible while minimizing waste.

These are just a couple of more reasons to specify Northland on your next project, and how to potentially qualify your project for LEED credits.

 

Resources:
http://leed.usgbc.org
http://www.leed.net
http://www.usgbc.org

 

 

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Create Inviting Spaces with New Condo Hotel Furniture

Published by: Northland - April 6, 2016

Condo hotels are the latest alternative to timeshares and vacation home ownership. While currently only in select locales, condo hotels continue to grow in demand and development. Similar to a timeshare, condo hotels are located in desireable resort areas. When it comes to condo hotel furniture, it’s important to create spaces as inviting as the location itself, be it the beach, the mountains or the city.

Similar to a timeshare, condo hotel furniture typically comes included in the price of the unit. Condo hotels are sold fully furnished with high-end furniture, appliances and fixtures. Condo hotel furniture is generally selected by an interior designer and the cost of the furnishings are included in the price of the unit.

Condo Hotel Furniture Design

While a pre-designed collection could be used to furnished a development of condo hotels, the high-end feel of these types of vacation homes often calls for a more luxurious, custom designed furniture package. Depending on your location and the type of atmosphere you want to create with condo hotel furniture will dictate the style of furniture you need.

Furniture design needs to incorporate the right colors, textiles, finishes and contours to convey the story you want the space to tell. Depending on the location of your condo hotel development you may want to create a certain type of atmosphere. While you may be located in a large city, depending on the neighborhood you may want to create a sleek and modern feel or if you’re in a more historic district, something more telling of the classic tradition. Both of these feelings can be conveyed with custom designed condo hotel furniture.

Northland Furniture has been a part of many different projects that create inviting spaces in the hospitality industry. When it comes to condo hotel furniture, a custom designed package from Northland will help your rooms tell the story you want to get across in the development and allow your owners to create stories and memories of their own for years to come. With an extensive background in timeshare and hospitality furniture manufacturing, Northland Furniture can help you create the inviting spaces you desire with condo hotel furniture.

Contact Northland for more information about condo hotel furniture.

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Different Hotel Furniture Finishes Create a Customized Feel

Published by: Northland - December 2, 2015

What’s your favorite color? It’s one of the most common ‘get to know you’ questions around and something we’ve all been answering since we were toddlers. When it comes to hotel furniture, it’s hard to please everyone, but different finishes allow you to customize to your specific tastes. It might not appeal to everyone, but certain hotel furniture finishes will be adored by the masses and other’s will be a memorable choice that sets your apart from the pack. Northland Furniture offers our hotel furniture in a variety of finishes, which allows you customize to your hotel’s design standards.

Choosing the Right Hotel Furniture Finish

Choosing the right finish for your hospitality furniture means finding the perfect style to match the feel of your hotel. Certain finishes convey a different tone than others. Some finishes may be more appropriate for hotels geared towards adults and others better for families with children. Depending on whether you want hotel furniture that tells a modern story or something more classic and timeless, Northland Furniture has the perfect finish to meet your specific needs.

Hotel Furniture Finishes Available:

  • Alabama-Cherry
  • Asian-Night
  • Cherry-Birch
  • Chocolate-Pear
  • Hardrock-Maple
  • Highline
  • Solar-Oak
  • Wild Cherry-Orange
  • Wild Cherry-Red
  • York-Cherry

If you’re looking for a more modern look and feel for your hotel furniture, consider going with the Asian-Night finish from Northland. The Asian-Night finish gives a cool, contemporary feel especially when paired with sleek platform beds, nightstands and desks.

For a more timeless and classic feel, go with a Cherry-Birch or Hardrock-Maple finish. Pairing beautiful finishes with distinct and durable hardware makes for the perfect blend of design and functionality. No matter which finish and hardware you choose for your Northland hotel furniture, it will ensure the products are stylish and robust.

Contact Northland Furniture for more information about different finishes available. Our hotel furniture designers can work with you to choose the perfect finish to match the style and feel you’re aimed to achieve in your hotel.

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